Attorney General's News Release

October 25, 2004

Attorney General Nixon commends Missouri law enforcement officers for double-digit drop in violent crime

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today praised the efforts of Missouri's law enforcement community for contributing to a 12.2 percent decrease in violent crime — a drop more than four times the national average.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) today released data from its Uniform Crime Reporting Program that revealed Missouri's violent crime rate decreased from 538.7 occurrences per 100,000 residents in 2002 to 472.8 occurrences in 2003 — a drop of 12.2 percent. This compares to a nationwide decrease of 3.0 percent over the same period.

"Our law enforcement officers and prosecutors have done an outstanding job in protecting our communities from violent crime, and these FBI figures bear that out," Nixon said. "Our aggressive actions in the prosecution of violent offenders and passage of tougher sentencing laws over the past decade has resulted in a safer Missouri for all of us."

The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program presented the data today in its annual publication, Crime in the United States, 2003. The violent crime category is comprised of the offenses of murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Law enforcement organizations in Missouri covering jurisdictions with a combined total of more than 5.7 million in population contributed to the report.

"Curbing violent crime in our state has, and always will be, a top priority," Nixon said.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818